How to Hit a Draw

The draw is a highly sought-after shot shape in golf , allowing players to achieve more distance, better control, and increased shot variety. A draw is a shot that starts to the right of the target (for a right-handed golfer) and gently curves back towards the target line. Mastering the draw can significantly improve your game, but it requires practice and understanding of the fundamentals. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to hit a draw and unlock your shot-shaping potential on the course.

Rangefinder on Discount

  1. Proper setup and alignment:

To hit a draw, you must first ensure that your setup and alignment are correct. Start by aiming your clubface at the target. Then, set your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line, but slightly to the right. This creates an inside-to-outside swing path, which is crucial for hitting a draw.

  1. Adjust your grip:

A strong grip can help promote the right-to-left ball flight needed for a draw. To adopt a stronger grip, rotate both hands clockwise on the grip, so you can see more knuckles on your left hand (for right-handed golfers). This encourages the clubface to close more quickly through impact, producing the desired shot shape.

  1. Shallow your swing plane:

A flatter or shallower swing plane promotes an inside-to-outside path, which is essential for hitting a draw. As you take the club back, focus on keeping your hands lower and closer to your body. This will help you swing on a more rounded path, making it easier to achieve the desired inside-to-outside motion.

  1. Rotate your body through impact:

To hit a draw, it’s essential to maintain good body rotation throughout the swing. As you approach the ball, focus on turning your hips and shoulders towards the target. This rotation helps to keep the clubface closed and promotes an inside-to-outside swing path.

  1. Release the club properly:

Releasing the club correctly is crucial for hitting a draw. As you approach impact, allow your wrists to unhinge and rotate the clubface through the ball. This release should feel natural and not forced. A proper release will help to close the clubface, promoting the right-to-left ball flight needed for a draw.

  1. Practice and commitment:

Hitting a draw consistently requires practice and dedication. Spend time on the driving range working on the fundamentals outlined above, and don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. With patience and persistence, you’ll eventually unlock the ability to hit a draw on command.

Drills to Help You Hit a Draw

DrillPurposeExecutionTipsVariations
Alignment drillTrain proper alignmentPlace two alignment sticks on the ground to aim atFocus on aligning feet, hips, and shoulders with the sticksMove the sticks closer or farther away
Swing path drillImprove inside-out swing pathPlace a headcover outside the ball to promote inside takeawayFocus on the club moving inside the target line on the backswingUse different clubs for variation
Impact drillTrain correct impact positionHit shots with feet together to promote centeredness and balanceFocus on hitting the ball solidly with a descending angle of attackHit different shots with different clubs
Release drillTrain proper release of handsHit shots with a deliberate release of the handsFocus on turning the hands over through impact to square the clubfaceUse different clubs for variation

 

Factors Affecting Draw Shot

FactorImpact on DrawIdeal ValueAdjustment NeededResult
Club SpeedHighFastIncrease club speedPromotes draw
Ball PositionHighBack in stanceMove ball backEncourage draw
Tee HeightMediumLowLower Tee HeightPromotes draw
Grip PressureMediumFirmApply firm gripEncourage draw
Wind DirectionLowRight-to-leftPlay with windAssists draw

Grip Techniques for Hitting a Draw

TechniqueDescriptionBenefitExample
Strong GripTurn both hands to the right on the clubEncourages the clubface to close at impactDustin Johnson
Neutral GripHands are positioned in a standard positionAllows for easy manipulation of the clubfaceTiger Woods
Weak GripTurn both hands to the left on the clubPromotes an open clubface at impactPhil Mickelson
Ten Finger GripAll ten fingers are on the clubProvides maximum control over the clubfaceBubba Watson
Interlocking GripIndex finger of the left hand and pinky of the right hand interlockPromotes a fluid and comfortable swingJack Nicklaus

 Stance and Alignment Tips for Hitting a Draw

TipDescriptionBenefitExample
Open StanceAlign feet to the left of the targetEncourages an in-to-out swing pathFred Couples
Closed StanceAlign feet to the right of the targetPromotes an out-to-in swing pathLee Trevino
Ball PositionMove the ball back in the stanceHelps create a descending blow at impactRory McIlroy
AlignmentAim the clubface to the right of the targetEncourages an inside-out swing pathJordan Spieth
Body AlignmentAlign shoulders to the right of the targetPromotes an inside-out swing pathErnie Els

Swing Tips for Hitting a Draw

TipDescriptionBenefitExample
TakeawayKeep the clubhead outside the handsEncourages a proper swing planeSergio Garcia
BackswingMaintain a wide arc and avoid a steep backswingCreates a shallow angle of attackRickie Fowler
DownswingLead with the lower body and rotate the hipsEncourages an inside-out swing pathJustin Thomas
ImpactKeep the clubface square to the targetPromotes a straight or draw ball flightAdam Scott
Follow-ThroughExtend the arms and rotate through the shotCreates a fluid and powerful finishBrooks Koepka

 Practice Drills for Hitting a Draw

DrillDescriptionBenefitExample
Alignment Rod DrillPlace an alignment rod on the ground to guide the swing pathPromotes a proper swing pathJason Day
Towel DrillPlace a towel under the right armpit to promote connection between the arms and bodyEncourages a connected swingHenrik Stenson
Swing Plane Board DrillUse a swing plane board to maintain a proper swing planePromotes a proper swing planeZach

Common Mistakes When Trying to Hit a Draw

MistakeCauseEffectCorrectionExercise
Overdoing drawToo much draw biasOver-compensatingDial back the biasUse a less draw-biased club
Poor gripWeak gripOpen clubfaceStrengthen gripGrip strengthening exercises
Overactive handsManipulating clubfaceInconsistent shotsUse the body to control the swingSwing with the body and keep hands passive
Poor timingRushing swingInconsistent contactSlow down the swingPractice with slower swings
Poor alignmentMisaligned stanceMisdirected shotsRealign stanceUse alignment sticks

Draw Shot Aids and Drills

Aid/DrillPurposeBenefitSet-upRepetitions
Alignment rodsSwing pathInside-out pathParallel to target10-15 reps
Tee drillClubface angleClosed clubfaceTee outside ball10-15 reps
Towel drillClubface angleClosed clubfaceTowel under armpit10-15 reps
Foot sprayImpact locationCentered impactSpray on clubface5-10 reps
Gate drillSwing pathInside-out pathGate around ball10-15 reps

Course Management for Draw Shots

Hole TypeClub SelectionTarget LineWind FactorRisk Management
Dogleg leftDriverRight edgeUse right-to-left windAvoid left hazards
Long Par 43 WoodRight-centerUse right-to-left windAvoid tight fairways
Short Par 44 HybridRight-centerUse right-to-left windAvoid short-sided greens
Long Par 53 WoodRight edgeUse right-to-left windAvoid left out of bounds
Short Par 55 WoodRight-centerUse right-to-left windAvoid aggressive lines
Long Par 35 IronRight-centerUse right-to-left windAccount for slope
Medium Par 37 IronRight-centerUse right-to-left windAccount for slope
Short Par 39 IronRight-centerUse right-to-left windAccount for slope
Uphill HoleClub upRight-centerUse right-to-left windFactor in elevation change
Downhill HoleClub downRight-centerUse right-to-left windFactor in elevation change

Conclusion:

Learning how to hit a draw in golf can be a game-changer for many players. By focusing on proper setup and alignment, adjusting your grip, shallowing your swing plane, rotating your body through impact, and releasing the club properly, you’ll be well on your way to mastering this sought-after shot shape. Commit to practicing these fundamentals, and you’ll soon be able to shape your shots like a pro.

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  • Ray Barnes

    Ray Barnes, our Senior Staff Writer and a Golf Analyst with a PhD in Sports Analytics, is a beacon of insight in the golfing world. With a deep understanding of the sport's nuances, statistical analysis, and a talent for demystifying complexities, he provides in-depth analysis and captivating narratives that engage golf enthusiasts worldwide.

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